IOM Report Summary

As popular as the ADN is today, there is a huge momentum to encourage nurses to receive their BSN instead of an ADN. Nurses that are already entering the workforce at the BSN level are not only more skilled at following and understanding evidenced based practice, but they are also more prepared to go on to school to complete their masters or doctorate degrees. In the changing face of healthcare, more nurses with advanced degrees will be needed to provide primary care as in the role of nurse practitioners. APRNs are going to be in higher demand in community care, public health nursing, evidence based practice, research, and leadership. Shortages of nurses in these positions create a “barrier to advancing the profession and improving the delivery of care to patients” (IOM, 2010, p. 170). Shortages of APRNs and the increasing need for nurse practitioners to provide primary care is why the IOM is recommending to increase the amount of BSN educated nurses entering the workforce to 80% and to double the number of doctorate nurses by 2020 (IOM, 2010, p. 173) The goal to increase the nursing workforce to 80% BSN educated nurses and double the amount of nurses with doctorate degrees is a formidable goal, but increasingly necessary. Patients are becoming more complex inside and outside of the hospital setting with chronic multiple comorbidities. BSN educated nurses are not only better prepared to care for these

Registered nurses are an integral part of the healthcare system, and make up the largest number of healthcare professionals. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (2015) “The employment rate for registered nurses is expected to grow by 16% between 2014 and 2024”. This is more than double the average rate of growth for a profession. The rapid growth rate can be attributed in part to better management of chronic diseases and the baby boomer generation. The growth in the nursing profession is paramount, however the demographics of the nursing population does not mirror the demographics of the population served.

1. The Shortage: In the early years of 2000 the true nursing shortage had begun. With

The national shortage of Registered Nurses (RNs) has helped generate formidable interest in the nursing profession among people entering the workforce and those pursuing a career change. According to a report issued by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Service in 2002, the national population is continuing to grow and age and medical services continue to advance, so the need for nurses will continue to increase. They report from 2000 to 2020 the predicted shortage of nurses is expected to grow to 29 percent, compared to a 6 percent shortage in 2000. With the projected supply, demand, and shortage of registered nurses and nursing salaries ever-increasing, the nursing profession can offer countless opportunities. But first one must

Bachelor degree nursing programs are highly regarded for the skilled, clinical thinking, and professionalism of nurses they provide for the community. Obtaining a baccalaureate in nursing provides the same skills and knowledge encompassed in most associate’s programs, while allowing a broadened look into research, public health, management, and humanities (AACN IENP, 2012). Many facilities are now providing incentives for nursing staff to continue their education; from tuition reimbursement, an increase in pay, and played time off for the sole purpose of education. Research has proven that with a more educated

The report indicates, of the overall nurses employed in healthcare, 80% of the nurses will have a baccalaureate degree by the year 2020. The baccalaureate and graduate nursing programs prepare nurses thoroughly so that they will have significant knowledge,

This paper seeks to expand upon the 2010 Institute of Medicine’s report on the future of nursing, leading change, advancing health and illustrating its impact on nursing education, practice and leadership. There is an ongoing transformation in the healthcare system necessitated by the need to achieve a patient centered care in the community, public, and primary care settings in contrast to previous times. Nurses occupying vital roles in the healthcare system, need improvements in the areas mentioned above to

There needs to be more emphasis on community health, long-term care, and coordination of care. In addition, the curriculum should include more leadership, systems thinking, and quality improvement. The IOM also recommends having incentives for nurses who wish to achieve higher levels of education such as tuition reimbursement, expansion of grants and loans, and more scholarships. As the number of students is expected to increase, educational institutions need to hire and retain faculty by creating competitive salaries and benefits. The IOM suggests doubling doctoral level nurses by 2020 (Institute of Medicine, 2010). The committee further encourages life long learning in order for nurses to practice to their fullest potential. The emphasis of improving the education system will produce a highly educated, well-rounded workforce who is equipped to effectively meet the health care needs of Americans today.

According to the Committee’s report, under the new system nurses will be tasked to (i) practice to the full extent of their education and training; (ii) achieve higher levels of education and training; (iii) be full partners with doctors and other health care professionals in redesigning health care in the United States; and (iv) effectively plan workforce policy that require better data collection and the use of

Recommendation to double the number of doctorate by 2010, ensure that 10% of BSN graduate will matriculate into Masters with in 5years of graduation, which will take care of the faculty issue. Loan forgiveness and repayment plans will encourage significant number of nurses to go for higher advanced education.

and change the world of nursing to advance nursing practice in the future. This 600 plus page

The health care issue that I have chosen to research is how we should address the shortage of nurses. I have chosen this topic because I work in a hospital and it is very difficult to recruit new nurses especially in specialized areas. Nurses in the workplace are the largest population of health care employees at 2.7 million nurses employed in the United States according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. This is almost double the nursing assistants employed at 1.4 million which is the second leading health care occupation in the United States. The nursing profession has the largest job growth from 2008 to 2018 with a total of projection of more than 581,500 new registered nurse positions to be created. It is also projected by 2025 to have a nursing shortage that will grow to more than 260,000 registered nurses (N.d.), Overview of BLS Statistics by Occupation, http://www.bls.gov/bls/occupation.htm

Nursing practice is also one of the key messages addressed in the IOM report. The report suggests that “nurses should practice to full extent of their education and training”. Furthermore, “nurses should be full partners with physicians and other health professionals, in redesigning health care in the United States. This report has a great impact on nursing practice. The IOM report suggests that greater focus on managing the transition from nursing to practice. It recommends that regulatory reforms must be made to allow nurses to expand their scope of practice (IOM report, 2010).

However, scholars argue that this is more of a policy issue that needs to be addressed. One of the policy matters that stand out, in this case, is the need to shift medical education and the associated resources to primary care so as to increase the number of nurses absorbed annually into the occupation. The other policy issue that stands out is the need to re- evaluates the high education standards required to enroll as a nursing student as a way of absorbing more entry level nurses. The policy may require a joint involvement of the government and the representatives of the particular nursing institutions. The two sets of institutions will be necessary for the process of implementing this policy because of their stakes in the

Below are the two key messages that apply to the chosen topic from the IOM's recommendation taken from National Academy of Sciences (2010). First, that nurses should achieve higher levels of education and training through an improved education system that promotes seamless academic progression. This does not only pertains to the